I have always enjoyed the very high-quality compilations that Phoenix blues entrepreneur / harmonica player Bob Corritore has been putting out for the last couple of decades. The modus operandi is that when notable performers come to town to play at his iconic club, the Rhythm Room, Corritore assembles an all-star team of musicians to head to Clarke Rigsby's Tempest Recording studio in Tempe to lay down multiple tracks covering a wide range of blues styles.

The latest collection of tunes from the Corritore archives is another great one, with a dozen cuts on Doin' The Shout (SWMAF / VizzTone). It doesn't open with the title cut, but the powerful voice of Chicago singer Nora Jean on this up-tempo 12-bar jump blues original will have you bouncing out of your seat and hitting whatever dance floor is nearby. Corritore contributes very fine harmonica playing here, as he does on all numbers.

That Nora Jean number makes me want to hear more from her, and it just requires going down two spots on the disc for "It's My Life," a mid-tempo blues shuffle that has Arizona institution Johnny Rapp starring on slide guitar.

Let's move on to another woman singer with a big voice, with the Queen of Detroit blues, Thornetta Davis, showing up twice. Ms. Davis opens the album with the Alberta Adams-penned blues shuffle, "Say Baby Say," this one bringing in Johnny Burgin on guitar. We later hear her again on the up-tempo "That Don't Appease Me," backed again by Burgin but this time adding the baritone sax of Mark Earley to provide a heavier sound. Davis is angry at that man, refuting any attempts that he has at getting back with her.

Bay Area singer Tia Carroll shows up for one cut, the very slow Slim Harpo blues, "I've Got To Be With You Tonight," with Corritore's  tasteful harmonica playing providing the intro, and Kid Ramos is the guest guitarist on this one. Phoenix area legend Francine Reed has appeared on many of these compilations, and she's back  with the slow, jazzy, late night blues, "Guess I'm A Fool," with Ben Levin coming to town to provide the requisite piano accompaniment.

One last woman singer featured on Doin' The Shout is Chicago vocalist Carla Denise, harmonizing with Jimi Primetime Smith on the mid-tempo blues, "Same Old Thing." JPS also contributes a very nice guitar solo.

Now, on to the men at the front of the stage. One of my favorite Chicago blues cats is Oscar Wilson, best known as the front man for the Cash Box Kings, and we get two solid Chicago blues songs. Wilson places his own personal classified ad for his need for a lover on "Woman Wanted," highlighted by wonderful Elmore-style slide guitar from Bob Margolin and nice piano work from Anthony Geraci. Wilson later packs a bundle of blues into the slow tune, "Just A Dream," a B.B. King original.

The first single from the album is a real keeper, with Bobby Rush appearing on "I've Got Three Problems," a mid-tempo funky blues on which Corritore's harmonica fills wrap nicely around Rush's vocals. Of course, his three problems all result from that trio of women in his life.

Wrapping up this powerful collection are two Chicago blues legends who have been included on many of Corritore's recordings. John Primer handles both vocals and lead guitar on "Twenty Room House," an up-tempo blues shuffle that has our man lamenting the fact that he's got all this space in his house and no one with whom to share it. That's the blues, folks. Geraci returns on piano on this number. Corritore and Primer have worked together quite often in recent years, with their 2024 album Crawlin'" Kingsnake being one of the best of the 2024 blues season, and they really have developed the ability to get the best out of each other.

Our other blues legend is nonagenarian Bob Stroger, who continues to defiy his age. In addition to backing other singers on this album with his always steady bass playing, Mr. Stroger steps to the mic for the autobiographical slow blues, "My First Love." It's a lovely song that serves as an excellent closing number for this compilation.

Doin' The Shout is now an essential purchase for every blues fan. You're likely reading this website because you are already a confirmed blues aficionado, so it goes without saying that you will want to be playing this album over and over. As I've done in reviewing past compilations from Corritore, I recommend you get the disc with all of the liner notes, songwriting credits, and backing musicians.

One of the best of the year!

--- Bill Mitchell